YOUR editorial headlined, 'Reforms delayed' (February 11) suggested that 'official procrastination' had delayed the desirable aim of achieving the greater independence of legal aid administration. This is not true.
In March 1992, the Administration set up a working group to undertake a comprehensive review of the law, policy and practice governing legal aid services.
The preliminary findings of the working group were set out in a report, which was published for public consultation in April, 1993.
One of the nine subject areas covered by the consultation paper was the administration of legal aid services.
The working group proposed that a Legal Aid Services Council (LASC) be set up, with responsibility for the overall management of publicly-funded legal aid services, but retaining the Legal Aid Department (LAD) as a government department.
The last response to the consultation paper, from the Bar Association and the Law Society, was received in October 1993.